Victoria BC Community Blog

Why Your Home Needs to be Staged When Selling

Posted by Niels Madsen on May 19, 2022

Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes

Selling your property and getting the best return possible is all about appealing to prospective buyers. And a big part of that appeal comes from how you present your home; it’s about showcasing its potential and qualities in the best light possible, ensuring you make the right impression. 

This is where staging comes in. Professional staging will usually involve arranging furniture, decorations, and other design elements in a way that is designed to appeal to prospective buyers. Professional staging is an expense, albeit one that will often pay off in terms of increasing the sale value of your home. 

However depending on the budget, and your aims and expectations, it may be beneficial to either go the professional route, or to take a more hands on DIY approach. But no matter how you go about it, there are a wide range of benefits when it comes to staging your home for sale, which we’re going to take a look at now. 

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How To Price Your Home And Deal With Multiple Offers

Posted by Niels Madsen on April 26, 2022

Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes

Pricing your home to sell is an essential part of budgeting and planning for your next move, and there are several factors that go into the final number. For homeowners it can sometimes be a little difficult to parse the number they’re offered by appraisers and real estate experts, but with a little research and understanding, you can have a better idea of what the market value range for your home truly is. 

Something that’s unique to BC homeowners is the BC assessment, which provides an estimated value for your home. In this blog we are going to to explain a little more about that, and its limitations, as well as providing you with advice on how to understand the true market value for your home, and what to do afterwards should you receive multiple offers.

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Should You Renovate Before Selling?

Posted by Niels Madsen on March 24, 2022

Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes

One of the trickiest propositions for anyone selling their home is that of deciding exactly how much work, if any, they should put into renovating the property before selling. Renovations are often costly, both in terms of time and money, and therefore there is a definite risk/reward element to any considerations. 

On top of this, even minor cosmetic changes need to be thought of with the broadest audience in mind, something that’s a much more fraught process than just accounting for your own individual taste! 

Luckily, you don’t have to make that decision alone, we’re here to lend you our expert opinion with this guide on whether or not you should be renovating your property before selling, and which renovations would better serve your interests. 

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Buy or Sell First? What To Keep in Mind

Posted by Niels Madsen on February 23, 2022

Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes

When it comes to property timing is everything, not just in terms of the market, or picking the right time for you to make your move, but in terms of making sure you have the easiest transition possible between your old and new homes. 

One of the most important decisions any homeowner has to make is whether they want to sell their old home before or after purchasing their new one. 

Truthfully there is no one right or wrong answer, it’s a matter of understanding your situation, and finding the right path for you. Which is why we’ve laid out some of the benefits and drawbacks of each approach when it comes to whether you should buy or sell first when moving to a new home. 

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Viewing Properties with COVID-19 Protocols

Posted by Niels Madsen on January 31, 2022

Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes

Over the last two years, we’ve seen so many parts of everyday life upended by the COVID-19 pandemic, and we can expect that to continue as we start this new year. In BC, there are still a number of restrictions and regulations that need to be adhered to, and there is guidance specifically for REALTORS®. We would like to assure you that we are following all regulations and safety advice, and in this blog we take a look at the measures that are currently in place

Accurate at time of publishing in January 2022

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Backyard Gardening in Victoria - Showcase Your Home

Posted by Niels Madsen on December 14, 2021

Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes

The west coast is famed for the spectacular beauty and diversity of its fauna, with some of the best gardens and forest areas in the world. But what about something a little closer to home? 

It’s true that some of the same conditions, the temperate rainforests, towering trees, and ample space, that make this area so beautiful, also pose their own unique challenges to home gardeners. Not to mention the increasingly unpredictable weather cycles and seasons! 

But ultimately it’s worth it to get that spectacular garden that can make your home feel more like a home, and provide exceptional value when it comes to the time to sell. 

So here’s our look at what you need to know to make the most of your Victoria backyard garden, and why gardens are so important to us as homeowners, and realtors!

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Christmas Events in Victoria 2021

Posted by Niels Madsen on November 23, 2021

Estimated Read Time: 12 minutes

Victoria is a magical and beautiful place to spend the holidays, with plenty of lights and events throughout the city. Here are just some of the events taking place for Christmas, including parades, markets, performances, lights, tours, and brunches with Santa!

Don't forget to check out local coffee shops and restaurants as well for their Christmas specials! 

Please note that events can still be cancelled or moved online, so please check the event website for the latest up to date information.

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2021 Halloween Events in Victoria

Posted by Niels Madsen on October 3, 2021

Estimated Read Time: 8 minutes

Halloween season is here! Not just a single day, it’s a whole season where tricks and treats happen for the whole family. From ghost walks to corn mazes to exhibitions, here we take a look at what is going on around Victoria during this spooky season. While there’s not as many as previous years to due the pandemic, there are still many fun events happening around the city.

Check before booking anywhere for opening times and vaccine requirements.

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How to Recycle Items in Victoria from Appliances To Toys

Posted by Niels Madsen on September 20, 2021

Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes

When moving to a new area, it is important that you get an understanding of how all of the systems work, but learning a neighbourhood's system can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. From figuring out the days of the week when the truck comes to pick up the garbage, to what they will pick up, and how to recycle or compost, is not always something easily discovered.

We want to make sure that this is an easier task for you, and so we have put together some information for the Capital Regional District’s recycling program in Victoria.

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Last Time Home Buyers - Things to Consider

Posted by Niels Madsen on August 27, 2021

Estimated Read Time: 6 minutes

There is plenty of information and focus on First Time Home Buyers, understandably so as it is a big milestone and achievement in someone’s life. But something that doesn’t get spoken about too often is the idea of a Last Time Home Buyer. 

Of course you don’t always know for sure when your last home will be purchased, however there are some life decisions and stages that can make the distinction clear. 

Usually, a last time home buyer will be in their golden years of life, and will have to make decisions about downsizing, renting out a house, who will get the house in the will, or even how and when to move into an assisted living or retirement community. All these decisions are big and daunting, but here are a few things to consider. 

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